WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Officials from the United States and China will initiate the 2016 US-China Tourism Year at an opening ceremony in Beijing on February 29, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews said in a press release.
"The Tourism Year will help us communicate that we welcome travellers from China and encourage them to experience all that the United States has to offer," Andrews stated on Thursday.
The Commerce Department noted that promoting the United States as a premiere travel destination will help maximize the economic and social benefits of inbound international travel.
Andrews also said tourism expansion is a key pillar of economic growth.
"Travel and tourism is the United States’ largest services export, generating nearly $220.8 billion and supporting over 1.1 million US jobs," he pointed out.
The United States receives nearly 100 million Chinese visitors every year, according to the Commerce Department.
